The bike slowed to a stop in front of an old, nondescript building, its facade covered in rusted metal and faded advertisements. The street was quiet, the glow of neon signs barely illuminating the cracked pavement. Elias killed the engine and hopped off, giving Aria a hand as she slid off the bike.
Aria scanned the area, her eyes narrowed. "This is your five-star spot?"
Elias grinned, unfazed. "Hey, don't judge a safehouse by its exterior. Besides, the real charm is on the inside."
"Right." Aria crossed her arms but followed him to the entrance, her mind already working. She'd learned enough from their high-speed escape—Elias was skilled, resourceful, and always seemed a step ahead of the Tribunal. But he was also hiding something. She just had to figure out what.
Elias pulled out a small device from his coat and held it against the door's access panel. It beeped, and the door hissed open, revealing a dark corridor lined with old, industrial piping. The faint smell of ozone filled the air, and Aria felt a shiver as they stepped inside.
"You always pick the creepiest places," she said, her voice echoing in the silence.
He chuckled. "Part of the job. Keeps the unwanted guests out."
"And the wanted guests, apparently."
"Touché."
They reached another door, and this time, Elias used a retinal scanner. The door slid open, and the lights flickered on, revealing a compact, but surprisingly well-equipped space. Consoles lined the walls, monitors displayed streams of data, and a small workstation hummed quietly in the corner. It was far more advanced than she expected from the dilapidated building outside.
Aria's eyes roamed the room as she set down the duffel bag. "Not bad."
Elias shrugged. "Told you. Five stars." He crossed to the workstation and began typing, his expression serious as he pulled up a series of files. "We've got a few hours before the next anomaly appears. I need to gather intel on the Tribunal's movements."
Aria watched him, noting the way he shifted gears so quickly—one minute, he was joking, and the next, he was all business. It was like he wore his humor as armor, something to keep others at arm's length. She knew the type well enough; she'd used similar tactics herself.
"You know," she said, leaning against the console next to him, "you're full of surprises. An agent with a sense of humor, a hidden safehouse, and an extensive knowledge of time anomalies. Makes me wonder—what's your angle?"
Elias didn't look up, his fingers flying over the keys. "And here I thought I was an open book."
Aria smirked. "Yeah, a book with half the pages torn out."
He paused, finally glancing at her. "Everyone has their secrets, Aria."
"Maybe," she replied, "but most people aren't as good at hiding them as you are."
He laughed, a low, genuine sound. "What can I say? It's a talent."
Aria leaned in, her eyes locked on his. "But why hide so much from me? We're supposed to be partners in this, right?"
Elias's smile faded slightly, and for a moment, she saw something flicker in his eyes—hesitation, maybe even regret. But it was gone as quickly as it came. "We are partners," he said, but the lightness in his tone felt forced. "But it's safer for both of us if you don't know everything. At least, not yet."
"Why?" she pressed. "What's so dangerous about the truth?"
Elias hesitated again, his fingers pausing on the keys. "The truth has a way of getting people hurt." His eyes met hers, and for a split second, the mask slipped. She saw a depth there, something that hinted at more than just his role as an agent. "Sometimes it's better to keep things light."
She crossed her arms, refusing to be swayed by his deflections. "So, all this humor of yours—it's just a way to keep me from asking too many questions."
He gave her a half-smile. "Maybe. Or maybe I just like seeing you annoyed."
Aria rolled her eyes, but her curiosity only deepened. He was good—too good. And it was clear that behind the jokes and the charm, he was hiding a much bigger secret, something tied to the Tribunal and the disappearances.
"Alright," she said, backing off—for now. "I'll play along. But sooner or later, you're going to have to tell me the truth."
Elias's eyes twinkled, his playful demeanor returning. "And ruin the mystery? Where's the fun in that?"
She shook her head, a small smile tugging at her lips despite herself. "You really are impossible."
"Part of my charm." He winked before turning back to the console. "But since we're partners, I'll throw you a bone." He pulled up a map of the city, marked with red dots. "These are the Tribunal's known monitoring stations. We'll need to avoid them if we want to get to the next anomaly site undetected."
Aria studied the map, mentally plotting their route. "Got it. But that still doesn't explain how you know so much about the Tribunal's operations."
"Let's just say I have a lot of experience being on their bad side." He didn't elaborate, and Aria noted the way he deflected the question—again.
"Fine," she said, pretending to let it go. "But one day, I'm going to figure you out."
Elias laughed, the sound echoing in the small space. "Good luck with that. People have tried."
"And?"
"Let's just say I'm still an enigma." He shot her another grin before returning to his work.
Aria watched him for a moment longer, then turned her attention to the monitors. As much as she hated to admit it, his humor—annoying as it was—made the situation easier to handle. And despite his evasions, she felt a growing sense of trust. He had proven himself capable and resourceful, and even if he was hiding something, she knew he had her back. For now, that was enough.
But she made a promise to herself. No matter how many jokes he cracked or how many secrets he kept, she was going to find out the truth about Elias—because she had a feeling that his past was tied to hers in ways she couldn't yet understand.
As she studied the map, the screen flickered, and an alert flashed. The anomaly was approaching—faster than expected.
Elias glanced at her, his expression suddenly serious. "Looks like we're on a tighter schedule. You ready?"
She nodded. "Always."
He smiled, but there was a shadow behind his eyes. "Then let's go."
As they headed out, Aria couldn't shake the feeling that she was getting closer to the truth. And she wasn't sure if she was ready for what she might find.